Feldman, pitchers face live hitters for first time

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The goal for Astros pitcher Scott Feldman was to simply not hit anybody. Feldman and a handful of other pitchers faced live hitters for the first time Friday, throwing for about 15 minutes on the back fields against teammates.

"You're just getting reacquainted with the mound and seeing hitters out there and trying to get all my pitches over and work with the catchers a little bit," Feldman said. "Trying not to hit anybody is probably the most important thing."

In years past, hitters would typically stand in the box during the first days of live batting practice and simply track the pitches with their eyes. The Astros this year gave hitters certain in-game scenarios to focus on when they stepped into the box.

"Throughout the years, it's been called 'pitching practice,' and the hitters would get in there and see their five pitches and get out," manager Bo Porter said. "It's something as a staff we talked about and wanted to try to get a little bit more out of that situation, so our hitting coaches put together a program that put these guys into situations and counts to intensify it for the hitter."

Porter says it allows the hitters to sharpen their mind while the pitchers get their work in, as well.

"You train yourself from a mental standpoint of executing that situation," Porter said.